"We will talk of that, hereafter: perhaps he will apologize; at any rate, let us go now to Ellen, and try if I can sooth her spirits, and calm her wounded mind." But Ellen by the time he reached her was in no condition to hear him: delirium had seized her, and the scene at the Opera dwelling on her mind, on which it had made a powerful impression, connected, though wildly, with the late untoward events, she exclaimed just as he entered the room, "Remember, St. Aubyn, remember Arbace--_and I too am innocent_?" then in low tones she imitated the recitative which had taken such hold on her imagination; and sung in a sweet and plaintive voice "Sono Innocente!" St. Aubyn, combining these words with all the interesting ideas connected with them, with the generous assurances Ellen had so often given him, that no appearances should ever shake her faith in _his_ integrity and honour, assurances which he had so ill repaid, was overwhelmed with grief and remorse: he put aside the curtain, and kneeling by the bed-side, said in the tenderest accents: "Ellen, my love, my injured Ellen, will you not hear, will you not forgive me?" "So you are come at last," said she, turning her head quickly towards him: "go to your son, my good friend, and tell him he has cruelly insulted me; that I am St. Aubyn's _wife_, not the wretch he calls me: why, you know, Mr. Ross, you married us, and my father and Joanna were present: then what does Charles mean by talking of my _shame_ and _ruin_?" "Oh, Heavens! she raves," exclaimed St. Aubyn; "my cruelty has destroyed her!" "Take away the bloody sword," screamed Ellen. "I tell you Arbace did _not_ murder him; no, nor yet St. Aubyn: nothing shall ever make me believe St. Aubyn guilty:--I promised him;--he says he is innocent; enough, my love, enough, Ellen will _never doubt you_!" and again she breathed in plaintive cadences the pathetic "Sono Innocente." "She will die! she will die!" wildly exclaimed St. Aubyn, starting up: "run for more help! fetch all the physicians in London. Oh! have I lived to this!" "You will kill her indeed," said Laura, "if you are not quiet: leave her to us. Doctor B---- will again be here in a few minutes: he says if she can but be quiet, can but be made to understand, all is well; she will recover; but indeed, my Lord, you must leave her now." "No, Laura, I will not go; I will sit here without speaking; but should she recover her senses, if only for a minute, it will I know comfort her to see me here."